Guardian's Touch ~ Cover Reveal!

For a ghost there are only two choices. Heaven or Hell.

Coming August 1, 2017

Guardian's Touch, Touched by Afterlife, Book 2

Life has returned to normal for Tamara and Dex after helping a horde of ghosts cross over. Their brush with the afterlife affirmed one thing: happily ever after is real.

When odd pranks around the farm escalate to destruction,Tamara fears mischievous teenagers are vandalizing the neighborhood. Then Dex starts to act out of character. Meanness slips into his usually playful disposition. One day he even ridicules a co-worker publicly. Tamara watches helplessly as he seems to lose the ability to control his own actions. When Dex’s abnormal anger turns violent—toward Tamara—their happily ever after is

threatened. Desperate to help Dex and herself, she sends out a silent prayer for help.

She didn’t expect Cal to come to her aid.

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Ghost Touch, Touched by Afterlife Book 1 ebook

is marked down to just $0.99 for a limited time.

For fifteen minutes each night a portal opens in Tamara’s barn and a horde of ghosts spills into her yard. Their leader, Cal, a quiet, unassuming cowboy, fulfills an aching loneliness the death of Tamara’s mother left behind. Tamara can help the ghosts cross, but can she let Cal go?

Available in ebook, audiobook, and print from Amazon.

Also available on Barnes and Noble, Kobo, iTunes, and other e-tailers.

But hurry before the price returns to $2.99.

About the author: LA Dragoni isn’t too particular about who falls in love or where they fall in love. Whether it’s paranormal, mythical, or time travel, LA simply considers it her job to divine their story and share it with you. She lives in Central Oregon with her husband and children, but haunts ghost towns and cemeteries throughout the west, in search of the next adventure to sift through her storytelling brain. Learn more about LA and her work at ladragoni.com

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Ghost Touch: Touched by Afterlife, Book 1 ~ ~ Re-Release Promo, New Cover, & Review

For fifteen minutes each night a portal opens in Tamara’s barn and a horde of ghosts spills into her yard. She and Dex work together to find a way to help Cal and the thousands of spirits stuck in the void to cross over. When she learns she has the ghost touch—the ability to touch the ghosts as if they were corporeal—and she accidentally helps a little boy cross, she believes it might be possible. But not all the spirits play nice and when they learn they can sip energy from her ghost touch, they become greedy putting her life at risk.

Each time Cal has to pull her from the mass of ghosts, her touch restores him more and more until he is at danger of being stuck on earth—forever, which is very enticing to Tamara the better she knows him. Will she and Dex figure out how to help the spirits cross and if they do, will she be able to let Cal go?

Available in print, ebook, and audiobook from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, iTunes, and other e-tailers.

Excerpt:

The knot of ghosts hissed and shrieked as they chased her. Seeing they’d already changed direction, she dug her fingers into the grass to pull herself away from them. Her legs were as shaky as a newborn foal and even crawling was too much effort. Ruff stood next to her, barking, but she knew he’d have no effect. He couldn’t even touch the ghouls.

Then they were on her. Petting and pulling, stroking and grabbing at her arms, legs, clothes, hair. Their chatter became excited, reminding her of a pack of hyenas. She buried her head under her arms wishing…praying they’d go away.

“Get off her!”

Was that Cal? Tamara raised her head as much as she could, but was still buried in spirits. She got a glance at a familiar face before the writhing group closed in again. Was that the drowned ghost? She looked less bloated.

“Leave her. This will not help. Get away.”

Slowly the weight lifted from her until she felt only one pair of hands grasping her upper arms. Gentle and caring, not demanding.

“Cal,” she croaked, struggling to raise her head and open her eyes.

“Come on, Tamara. You need to get up.”

Her eyelids were so heavy. She couldn’t hold them open. Couldn’t make her neck cooperate so she could look at Cal.

“Tamara, you need to move him. I can’t touch him.”

“Let go of me Cal. You’re making it worse. I think.” Even speaking drained her of energy. It took all she had just to force the words out, but when Cal let go of her, she felt a difference immediately. It was as if her strength no longer leaked out of her extremities. Unfortunately her tank didn’t seem to be refilling very fast. “I…it’s…it’s better. Give me a minute.”

“We don’t really have a minute, Tamara.”

CLICK HERE FOR HALL WAYS AUDIO BOOK REVIEW! 

FIVE STARS!

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LA Dragoni's GHOST TOUCH got me out of my paranormal romance funk in which I felt like I was reading the same book over and over again. The ghost part with the portal opening in Tamara's barn was vividly described and equal parts cool and terrifying, but it was really Tamara's poignant emotional journey that spoke to me.  -Katie

About the author: LA Dragoni isn’t too particular about who falls in love or where they fall in love. She simply considers it her job to capture the story about their love. Whether it’s paranormal, mythical, or time travel, LA will be there to divine their story for you. She lives in Central Oregon with her husband and children, but haunts ghost towns and cemeteries up and down the west, in search of the next adventure to sift through her storytelling brain. Follow LA on Facebook and Twitter. Subscribe to her mailing list and learn more about LA and her work at www.ladragoni.com

Dying for Data (Adina Donati, Accidental Sleuth Book 2)

Salem, C. (2016). Dying for Data (Adina Donati, Accidental Sleuth, Book 2). Self-published.

Clean New Adult / Cozy Mystery

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Book Blurb: Bad karma, a rival suitor, and a deadly attack are enough to put a damper on any date. 

Just when Adina's social life is looking up, her night out is interrupted by the scream of police sirens. Afraid her bartender boyfriend might be accused of murder, Adina’s neighbor enlists her assistance, and in the process exposes her to the seamier side of illegal immigration and crime in the city. Hard as she tries to limit her involvement, the more Adina learns, the more she needs to know – until a case of mistaken identity lands her in hot water. Will she uncover the truth before it’s too late?

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Hall Ways Review: Dying for Data is the second book in the series with main character and accidental sleuth, Adina Donati, but it stands alone just fine. At 176 pages, it is a quick but completely satisfying read; you get the story without the fluff! "Accidental sleuth" is a great description of main character Adina, as she seems to literally walk right into mysteries by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. In my review of the first book in the series, Think Murder, I said Adina seemed like Bess from the Nancy Drew mysteries -- and I still think that fits. However, I was happy to see that Adina is more mature in this book, especially in her approach and attitude towards her job. Hooray! (In my review of book one, it rubbed my rhubarb that she was a bit of a flake at work, though they didn't give her much to do, either.)

As in Think Murder, in Dying for Data, I enjoy the details of the DC setting and for a Texan, I especially love how people can hop the metro to get everywhere they need to go. How cool is that?  Author Cassidy Salem dips into making some subtle social commentary about our nation's immigration laws, sanctuary policies, and attitudes towards immigrants, but she weaves it fairly seamlessly into the story line.

The book is well edited with just a few typos and errors that don't detract at all from the story.  Adina seems to speak directly to the reader, and it's a comfortable place to be. I was glad to see neighbor Daniel Sullivan return, and of course detective Jonathan Saks from book one. Salem makes readers really pull for the detective to win Adina's heart. He's so stinkin' thoughtful and considerate (and Adina's mother would approve!). Jonathan seems to be a good influence on Adina in helping her to better practice her Jewish faith, and there's definitely a slow burning something between Adina and Jonathan -- but look out! At the dog rescue center where Adina volunteers, there's Bruce, a fit and super-hot rival for Adina's attentions.

After the climax of the story, Adina is still in some danger, and my only complaint is that element was tied up very quickly and possibly a bit too conveniently. By the same token, having anything more complicated would likely detract from the overall feel of the story.  I feel like this series fits a niche that is barely filled right now, and that's clean new adult. The characters are single and making their ways a few years out of college. There is all the fun and flirty-ness of new relationships, but there's no sex and no profanity. It's refreshing! I definitely look forward to more unintentional adventures with Adina -- and did I pick up a hint that there may be a new neighborhood where Adina will find them?

Thank you to the author for her never-ending patience in waiting for my review and for providing me an eBook copy in exchange for my honest opinion -- the only kind I give. 

 

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just $2.99 on Kindle

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Cassidy Salem has always been an avid reader. She is especially fond of mysteries (both cozy and traditional). Over the years, her favorite mystery authors have included Agatha Christie, Kathy Reichs, Mary Higgins Clark, and John Grisham. Cassidy also enjoys reading historical fiction focused on American and world history, as well as the classics.

Cassidy has never met a dog she didn't like - a fact that influenced her decision to have the protagonist in Think Murder, her first mystery, volunteer at a dog rescue center. Dying for Data, the second novel in the Adina Donati, Accidental Sleuth mystery series, was released in August 2016.

More recently, Cassidy has begun collaboration with Christa Nardi on a new YA series . The first book, The Mysterious Package - A Hannah and Tamar Mystery, was released in October 2016.

When she's not reading, Cassidy enjoys singing in an a cappella ensemble. Most of all, Cassidy enjoys spending time with family and friends, and travels with her husband and son whenever possible. Her travels have taken her to destinations throughout the United States and Europe. 

FOLLOW CASSIDY ON TWITTER or FOLLOW ON HER BLOG
FOLLOW ADINA DONATI, ACCIDENTAL SLEUTH on FACEBOOK

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Click for Hall Ways Review

 

Ghost Touch

Dragoni, LA (2015). Ghost Touch (Touched by Afterlife Book 1). Self-published. 

Adult, NA, or YA / paranormal / romance / audio book 

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars

(4 out of 5 as an audio book)   

Check out the new cover featured in the re-release tour!

BLURB (from website): She Can Help Him Cross, But Can She Let Him Go?

For fifteen minutes each night a portal opens in Tamara's barn and a horde of ghosts spills into her yard. She and Dex work together to find a way to help Cal and the thousands of spirits stuck in the void to cross over. When she learns she has the ghost touch—the ability to touch the ghosts as if they were corporeal—and she accidentally helps a little boy cross, she believes it might be possible. But not all the spirits play nice and when they learn they can sip energy from her ghost touch, they become greedy putting her life at risk. 
Each time Cal has to pull her from the mass of ghosts, her touch restores him more and more until he is at danger of being stuck on earth—forever, which is very enticing to Tamara the better she knows him. Will she and Dex figure out how to help the spirits cross and if they do, will she be able to let Cal go? 

========================================

Romance books just generally aren't my thing, but when I won a copy of this book and had the option to get it as an audio book, I grabbed it fast. I had an upcoming five hour-ish solo road trip, and this seemed like a great way to pass the driving time.  GREAT decision!  Author LA Dragoni weaves several interesting and unique premises about the afterlife into this story -- and the love triangle is only two parts living!  The story has eerie, vivid descriptions of the ghosts, and the emotional turmoil of all three of the main characters is very well defined.  Dragoni provides an awesome villain to hate and then masterfully manages to change the reader's opinion of the villain.  It is hard to believe that the main character, Tamara, is only nineteen and holding down a full time job and taking care of a house and ranch all by herself -- especially given it doesn't seem like Tamara was left any kind of inheritance when her mom passed away. The finances of that situation don't make sense, but readers will likely be willing to suspend their disbelief because the story is so enjoyable.  

I am by no stretch an expert on love triangles in books, but the one in Ghost Touch definitely isn't standard.  Tamara falls in love with both Dex, a hunky flesh and blood man and Cal, a slightly mildewy smelling skeleton. Read the book and you'll see how this works! You'll love them both, too.  There are several twists and surprises in the plot, and the ending is satisfying but absolutely leaves questions that hopefully will be answered in a subsequent novel.  

Though the book is marketed to adults, with a nineteen-year-old main character and a clean romance, I think high school aged readers and older would enjoy the story.  There is some passionate kissing and implied sex, but if there was any strong language, I don't recall it. Ghosts are ghastly but not disgusting -- enough to make an impression but not excessively described. 

ABOUT the Audio Book: Narrator Darlene Allen does a good job voicing most of the characters, but the delivery was a little slow, and I had to increase the speed to 1.5x to listen comfortably. Dramatic moments tended to border on cheesy, but at the same time, Allen often nailed the teen angst. There were a few odd pronunciations, and Allen regularly inflected her voice so that statements sounded like questions, both things that were distracting for this listener. 

I won this book from author Kai Strand in an #InkRipples giveaway on her blog. There were absolutely no strings attached, so this is a "just because" honest review -- the only kind I give. 

Check out this Book Trailer!

CLICK HERE TO BUY 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: LA Dragoni isn't too particular about who falls in love or where they fall in love. She simply considers it her job to capture the story about their love. Whether it's paranormal, mythical, or time travel, LA will be there to divine their story for you. She lives in Central Oregon with her husband and children, but haunts ghost towns and cemeteries up and down the west, in search of the next adventure to sift through her storytelling brain. Connect with the author:

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